Locals will tell you there are three major players in the pie business, but few are willing to pick a favorite

JULIAN — The historic mountain town of Julian is known for many things: the gold rush, fresh air, tall trees, a quaint downtown and the ever present risk of wildfire.

But play a word association game and ask just about anyone what’s the first thing they think with the mention of Julian and the answer is usually the same.

Pie.

Apple pie to be precise.

In the days just before and after Thanksgiving, a random, unscientific, and relatively small public opinion survey was performed. The simple question: “What’s the best pie in Julian?”

There was no right answer, and there is no right answer. The publisher of the local newspaper, Michael Hart of the Julian News, immediately said, “Whoever pays the advertising,” then added it’s all a matter of personal preference.

Several business owners not directly connected to pie production said they wouldn’t offer an opinion. One Realtor said there are three people in her office and all three frequently disagree about that very question.

Julian’s business community is tightly knit and depends on each other to get those tourists up the hill. No earthly good could come of preferring one pie maker over another, they said.

The general consensus was the town has three primary pie businesses, and they all make a tasty treat. Two are well known countywide because their pies are sold outside Julian in grocery stores. They are the Julian Pie. Co. and Mom’s Pie House. Julian Pie also has a store in Santa Ysabel and Mom’s has a store in Wynola.

The third, the one that seemed to be the locals’ favorite by at least a little bit, was Apple Alley Bakery. All three businesses have storefronts on Main Street.

Many other places in town make and sell pies. But those three were most often mentioned.